Latest UPSC IFS (Indian Forest Service) Exam Syllabus 2023-24

The UPSC IFS (Indian Forest Service) Exam has two stages: Preliminary Examination and Main Examination. The Preliminary Exam consists of two papers: General Studies and General Ability Test. The General Studies paper covers topics like current events, history, geography, polity, economy, and general science. The General Ability Test evaluates comprehension, reasoning, decision-making, numeracy, and English language skills. The Main Exam includes papers on General English, General Knowledge, and optional subjects chosen by the candidate. The optional subjects include Agriculture, Forestry, Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics, and others. Candidates who qualify for the Main Exam undergo an interview to assess their personality and suitability for the Indian Forest Service.

Details of UPSC IFS Exam 

UPSC IFS Preliminary Examination Syllabus

The UPSC IFS (Indian Forest Service) Preliminary Examination consists of two papers: General Studies (Paper-I) and General Ability Test (Paper-II). Here is a detailed syllabus for each paper:

Paper-I: General Studies

1. Current events of national and international importance
2. History of India and the Indian National Movement
3. Indian and World Geography
4. Indian Polity and Governance
5. Economic and Social Development
6. General Science

Paper-II: General Ability Test

1. Comprehension
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability
4. Decision-making and problem-solving
5. General mental ability
6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.)
7. English language comprehension skills (Class X level)

Both papers are objective-type (multiple-choice questions) and carry 200 marks each. The duration of each paper is two hours. The General Ability Test (Paper-II) is a qualifying paper, and candidates need to score a minimum qualifying mark of 33% to move on to the Main Examination.

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UPSC IFS Mains Examination Syllabus

The UPSC IFS (Indian Forest Service) Mains Examination consists of six papers. Paper-I is a General English paper, while Paper-II is a General Knowledge paper. Papers III, IV, V, and VI are optional subjects chosen by the candidate.

Here is a detailed syllabus for each paper:

Paper-I: General English (300 marks)

1. Essay writing
2. Comprehension
3. Precis writing
4. Usage and vocabulary
5. Grammar and language skills

Paper-II: General Knowledge (300 marks)

1. Current events of national and international importance
2. History of India and Indian National Movement
3. Indian and World Geography
4. Indian Polity and Governance
5. Economic and Social Development
6. Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change

Optional Subjects (Papers III, IV, V, and VI): Candidates need to choose any two subjects from the list provided by the UPSC. Each optional subject carries 200 marks. The optional subjects include:

• Agriculture
• Agricultural Engineering
• Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Forestry
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics
• Statistics
• Zoology

Interview/Personality Test

The UPSC IFS (Indian Forest Service) Personality Test, also known as the Interview, assesses the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for the Indian Forest Service.

Here is a detailed syllabus for the IFS Personality Test:

1. General Awareness: Candidates are expected to be well-informed about current national and international events, socio-economic issues, environmental concerns, and developments in the field of forestry and conservation.
2. Personality Traits: The interview panel assesses the candidate’s personality traits, such as leadership qualities, decision-making abilities, integrity, perseverance, and adaptability.
3. Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills: Candidates may be presented with hypothetical situations or case studies related to forest management, conservation, or wildlife protection, and they are expected to analyze the problem and provide logical and practical solutions.
4. Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential for an IFS officer. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to express their thoughts clearly, listen attentively, and engage in meaningful discussions.
5. Domain Knowledge: Candidates are expected to have a strong understanding of forestry, wildlife, conservation, environmental laws, and related subjects. Questions may be asked to test their knowledge in these areas.
6. Personal Experience and Motivation: Candidates may be asked about their background, academic achievements, work experience, and their reasons for choosing the Indian Forest Service as a career. They should be able to articulate their passion for nature, conservation, and sustainable development.
7. Decision-Making and Leadership: The panel may assess the candidate’s decision-making abilities and leadership potential through situational questions or by discussing past experiences where the candidate had to take charge and make important decisions.

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